Show 250, December 2, 2017: 2017 Roswell Wine Festival, Roswell, GA

Executive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living Civil War history) in early October with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) In this show we continue our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with the Producers & Co-Founders of the annual Roswell Wine Festival, an impressive, all-volunteer community effort that raises money in support of local non-profits. It always sells out weeks early…

The Roswell Wine Festival was established in 2012 by long- time friends Peggy Robinson and Dwight Cunningham. After graduating from college at Johnson & Wales University, both moved to the Roswell and fell in love with the area. With a shared passion for wine, they wanted to create an event which provides an exceptional experience for wine enthusiasts, supports the business community, and benefits local charities. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and restaurant participation, the Roswell Wine Festival has been able to support many area non-profits including the 2017 beneficiary, Keep Roswell Beautiful.

It takes place over almost three-quarters of a mile of picturesque, and low-rise, Canton Street in the heart of Historic Roswell. In addition to the tasting stations on the street each participating restaurant on Canton St. samples their personal selections of fine wines.

There is also a popular VIP ticket option which we always recommend. It’s early access, admission to the VIP premium tasting tent which showcases the best of the best wines, and additional food samplings.

Roswell Wine Festival Co-founders Peggy Robinson and Dwight Cunningham uncork it for us.

Show 246, November 4, 2017: Chris Nelson, Executive Director, Chattahooche Nature Center, Roswell, GA

Chris NelsonExecutive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living Civil War history) in early October with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) In this show we continue our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with Chris Nelson, the dynamic new Executive Director of the 120,000 member Chattahoochee Nature Center founded in 1976 by local citizens.

CNC is the oldest and largest private, non-profit natural science learning center in the Southeast. This environmental sanctuary encompasses 30 species of native wildlife and 127 acres of native plants and gardens.

Follow the “Wildlife Walk” to view beaver and native birds of prey including owls, hawks and bald eagles. Hike the woodland trails or wander the boardwalk. Visit the gardens, and explore the Discovery Center. A true nature-lover’s paradise.

One of the most noteworthy efforts at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is The Unity Garden. It was established in April 2010 with a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente. The quarter-acre garden has three goals: Production, Donation, and Education.

The Unity Garden grows fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Also there is a roomy chicken coop there with happy hens laying fresh eggs. The Unity Garden uses sustainable gardening practices, found and recycled resources, and focuses on producing healthy plants in healthy soil. The garden is tended by a garden coordinator, as well as dedicated individual volunteers.

Most of the fresh produce grown in the Unity Garden is donated to the food pantry at North Fulton Community Charities. CNC delivers fresh vegetables and greens once or twice a week. The Unity Garden is in year-round production. To date, CNC has delivered over 27,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Show 245, October 21, 2017: Restaurateur Ryan Pernice, Table & Main and RO Hospitality

Ryan PerniceExecutive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living history from the Civil War) earlier this month with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.)   as invited guests of Visit Roswell. In this show we start our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with restaurateur Ryan Pernice, the founder of Table & Main restaurant, a true locals’ favorite.

A simple, seasonal, and Southern dining experience, Table & Main offers a place for people to come and enjoy themselves at a cozy restored homestead on lively Canton Street in Roswell, Georgia. Diners enjoy quality dishes evocative of the South and home-style cooking like Chef Woody Back’s famous fried chicken that some patrons argue rivals grandma’s recipe. Table & Main proudly promotes itself as the place to get your bourbon on Canton Street with its well-stocked bourbon bar and beautiful patio where partakers can relax, surrender their troubles, and enjoy the hospitality and attention of the restaurant.

“Founded by Ryan Pernice, RO Hospitality opened its first restaurant, Table & Main, in Roswell, GA in 2011 with a clear, confident vision of becoming the neighborhood’s adopted clubhouse. We’re proud of our progress towards achieving that goal, being tremendously fortunate to work with amazing people as we hone our community focus at two additional concepts: Osteria Mattone and Coalition Food and Beverage.”

“Our team relies on five major characteristics to nurture the tradition of excellent hospitality our restaurants represent: Warmth, Optimism, Ownership, Conviction, and Loyalty. With those key traits uplifting our Cuisine, Service & Story, we will create such positive experiences for our guests that they will seek to make us a part of their daily lives.”